History Of The AMERICAN DREAM Calendar GirlS

The use of calendars for commercial purposes is not a new idea. In fact, calendars have been employed for promotional purposes since the 1700s, when they were a product of Victorian enterprise. Some of the early calendars, although crude, featured paintings and later photos of beautiful women.

However, all of the women on the calendars were professional models, whom the photographers and companies producing the calendars chose. American Dream Enterprises recognized this phenomenon and decided to create a contest in which the average woman could compete for the twelve coveted photo spots on the calendar.

Thus, the Calendar Girl Model Search™ was born. The term Calendar Girl Model Search™, and the actual American Dream Festival™ have since become registered trademarks, making them the only ones of their kind.
 

The first Victorian calendars were illustrated with impeccably dressed women illustrating the accepted standards of the times. The first attempt at a glamour calendar occurred in 1913, when the celebrated French artist, Pal Chabas Medal of Honor painting, Matinee de September was placed on a special calendar. Unfortunately, the painting of a beautiful girl bathing in the early morning hours in a lake was considered to be too risqué for the times.

Esquire magazine employed the next glamour calendar endeavor in 1940. Reproductions of the artist Alberto Varga’s oil paintings graced the pages of Esquire’s calendar making it the most successful one to date, selling more than one million copies. As printing became more fine-tuned throughout the 1940s, commercial artists began painting pictures of ”Calendar Girls” for other calendar manufacturers. In the late 1940s, as advancements in color film and graphic design became the rage; photography became the medium of choice. In 1949, a nude photo of then unknown Norma Jean Baker was taken by taken by Tom Kelly, was published in the Golden Dreams, pushing sales to eight million copies. That young model became known as Marilyn Monroe. The concept of using calendars to promote company's goods and services and sell advertising space became popular next. Even the Coca Cola company used ”Calendar Girls” to sell their product.

Throughout these advancements, one thing remained the same – all of the calendars featured professional models; the average young woman had no chance to become a ”Calendar Girl”. In 1979, at a meeting between Gay Mayer and Harvey Chanler, the respective President and Vice President of English Leather Men’s Toiletries, and George Houraney, the editor of the world-famous National Motorsports Calendar since 1966, asked if photos of young women could be added to the calendar. Mr. Houraney decided that since the cars on the calendar had won contests for their spots, the criteria should be the same for the women. The world’s first and only Calendar Girl Model Search™, where ordinary women could compete for spots on the nationally acclaimed calendar was born.

The Calendar Girl Model Search™, which began as eighteen countrywide contests, comprising 300 entrants, has grown to include worldwide competitions. Contestants are attractive, personable, intelligent and in excellent shape. The winners advance through a series of contests, until reaching the finals, at the American Dream Festival™.

Today, the term ”Calendar Girl” has a much more significant meaning and role. It affords the average woman the opportunity to advance her career and live out her dreams. In fact, many entrants pursue college educations and/or professional careers following the contests. Contestants are ”discovered” by television and film producers, directors and casting agents. The Calendar Girl Model Search™ allows women to pursue their ”American Dreams”, and that is yet another indicator that ADE is on the cutting edge.

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